18th May 2023:
Another tough day of fixture for the Relics 65’s resulted in 1 win, 2 draws, and 1 defeat to Kingsmaid which meant that Kingsmaid leapfrog the Relics into top spot in the table, pushing the Relics down into second spot with 1 game day (4 games) to go in the Spring 2023 season.
As usual the Relics kick off the day with a tough gme against Kingsmaid.
Ed is called into action early in the game by somehow tipping a hard swirling shot onto the cross bar and out for a corner.
Relics matched Kingsmaid and had a goal disallowed from JoMo when the ref judged that JoMo was running. Shortly after Kingsmaid went ahead through a penalty, Tony G was judged to have strayed into the area as he went to tackle the dangerous Kingsmaid #77. The penalty was slotted home low done in-off Ed’s left hand post. 0-1 to Kingsmaid.
The Relics were fighting back with a shot from JoMo deflected for a corner. Jerry had a shot well saved by the keeper and a shot from distance that was high.
Inevitably Kingsmaid #77 got in on the action with a fast turn and powerful shot from the edge of the box giving Ed no chance putting Kingsmaid 0-2 up.
Relics continued to press with a shot from Tong G going over. The Relics pressure finally paid off when a Kingsmaid defender went into the box, penalty to the Relics, JoMo stepped up and confidently smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Relics 1 -2.
Final score Relics 1 v 2 Kingsmaid
Next challenge for the Relics was Corinthians, although not at their best this season, they are always difficult games.
The Relics were on top from the start with 3 shots from Graham W in quick succession, the first going wide, the other two resulting corners, but no goals. Jerry shot high, before Corinthians had a couple of efforts themselves. The relics continued to have the majority of the possession and field position but couldn’t make the advantage count on the score sheet. A frustrating game for the Relics.
Final score Relics 0 v Corinthians 0
Next came Preston North End and another frustrating game from a Relics point of view. Within seconds the Relics had a chance when the Preston keepers roll out was intercepted by Graham, his normally lethal left foot let him down as he miss-hit the shot wide. Tex also shot wide following a good move Al > JoMo > GW > Tex. Graham had a shot saved, then Pete Shev shot wide and Graham had another shot saved. Preston replied with a shot that hit the bar and went over and out.
Preston had a good spell with a well worked free kick saved by Ed and another shot that sped across the front of the Relics goal and just past the far post. Then another shot that was just wide.
The Relics finiahed strong with shots from JoMo just too high, and Graham W which was well saved by the Preston keeper.
Final score Relics 0 v Preston 0
Final game of the day was Bolton Arena.
Ed was the first keeper called into action when a Bolton free kick found a player unmarked on the Relics left hand side, his free shot was well saved by Ed.
The rest of the game was dominated by the Relics. JoMo had a shot parried for a corner. The corner goes to Tony G who shoots wide.
Graham W carries the ball around the Bolton area to the left hand side and hits a left footed shot into the bottom right hand side of the goal to put the Relics 1 – 0 up.
The game was still all Relics with a through ball from GW finding JoMo on the right hand side, his low and powerful shot went in off the near post. 2 – 0 Relics.
There was a bit of tension in the game between Jerry and Bolton #7 but Jerry silenced his opponent with two ‘nutmegs’ in quick succession, the latter one was followed by a super strike which the keeper had no chance. 3 – 0 Relics
Tony G had the last chance of the game for the Relics when he picked up the ball outside the Relics area, and with the Bolton defence parting like the Red Sea Tony waltzed down the centre of the pitch as the Bolton keeper dived to his left he somehow managed to save Tony’s shot with his feet. What a goal that would have been.
Final score Relics 3 – Bolton 0
So, Relics end with a win and 5 point on the day which leaves them in second place in tthe table, 4 points behind Kingsmaid with 4 games left to play.
Well done to all players on the day.
Ed (gk); Pete Shev; Jerry L; JoMo; Graham W; Alan B; Tony G; Tex and manage Ken Buggie,
Thanks to Kodak Keith for the photos.
For all the 2023 fixture and results see the Match Centre page here …
Bury Relics 